Sports Weekend

A
win, a draw and a defeat; this sums up the record of the Romanian football
teams that on Thursday played their fixtures counting towards the first leg of
Europa League's third preliminary round.

In
Yerevan, title holders CFR Cluj outclassed Armenian champions Alashkert, 2-nil.
Striker George Tucudean scored both goals for CFR, on 5 and 49 minutes, with a
penalty kick successfully turned into a goal, the second time around. If they
secure a win-all result in the tie against Alashkert, CFR will take on the
winner of the match pitting Polish side Legia Warsaw against Dudelange of
Luxembourg. We recall that in the first round Dudelange's performance was a big
surprise, as the team secured a 2-1 win away from home, in Warsaw.

Bucharest
team FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, did not receive a single goal in
the away confrontation against Croatia's Hajduk Split. Truth to tell, Romania's
vice-champions did not attempt a single shot at goal and their attacking bouts
were lackluster. Steaua's only shot at goal occurred in the last minute of
extra time. So the match in Bucharest will be crucial for qualification. In
the competition's play-off stage, the winning side will take on either the Slovakian
team Slovan Bratislava, or Rapid Vienna of Austria. We recall that in the first
leg, Slovan Bratislava secured a 2-1 home win.

Romanian
Cup holders Universitatea Craiova have played their away match against German
side RB Leipzig. The host team had the upper hand all throughout the game and
secured a 3-1 win. Universitatea's Croat footballer Ivan Martic scored in the
last second of regular time, which provides a glimmer of hope for Craiova, in
the return match scheduled to take place at home. If they edge RB Leipzig out
of the competition, Universitatea will face the winner of the match pitting
Ukraine's Zorya Luhansk against Braga of Portugal. We recall that in the first
leg in Ukraine, Zorya drew against Braga, 1-all.

Fixtures
counting towards the 4th round of domestic League One championship
are scheduled at the weekend. On Friday, FC Botosani take on Astra Giurgiu. On
Saturday, in Chiajna, the local side Concordia will receive the visit of Hermannstadt
of Sibiu, and Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe will take on Poli Iaşi on home turf. On
Sunday, Universitatea Craiova are due to travel to Calarasi for their way match
against the local side Dunarea, CFR Cluj will play against FC Voluntari, and
FCSB will play in Medias against the current leader Gaz Metan. On Monday, in
the last match of the 4th round, Dinamo Bucharest are pitted against
Viitorul Constanta.